How to write a CV for a yacht job

Here at Viking Crew, we have all you need to know how to write a CV for a yacht job.

When writing a CV in preparation for the yachting industry, whether you are an entry-level crew member or a senior Officer, it isn’t always a walk in the park.  Your CV is an important tool for agencies, senior crew, management companies and even Owners when considering you for potential vacancies.

Your CV is your chance for you to sell yourself on first impression, so ensure it does. Yachting is about attention to detail, so ensure that your CV is a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, experience and attributes.

You should target your CV towards the job you are applying for, giving the reader a clear understanding of the position that you really want, you do not want to look undecided. Ensure that all grammar and spelling is checked prior to submission.

It is important that you express your experience in an easy to follow format that is well presented, you do not want to confuse anybody. Flashy colour schemes, crazy fonts and numerous yacht photographs can detract from what is vital information for the reader.

Ideally keep the CV to two pages and when sending to an agency a word or PDF file are usually preferred.

What to include:

Photograph- This should be of good quality and kept professional, whilst keeping a friendly demeanour. A clear head and shoulders shot is fine, ideally wearing a polo shirt.  You will need to look presentable and well groomed.

Personal Details:

This should include:
• Full name
• Nationality & other passport details.
• Contact details: Phone number and a professional email address.
• Date of birth
• Marital Status
• Any Visas held
• Smoker Status/Declare any visible tattoos (visible in Polo Shirt and Shorts)
• Medical Certificate.

Profile:



• This should include a brief summary of your career goals and special skills, a few sentences are enough.

Qualifications:

This should include:
• All relevant school, maritime college or universities attended, along with dates
• All relevant shore-based certificates
• All seagoing certification

Experience:

We recommend keeping this short and concise but making sure all aspects are covered.

• Present your work history in chronological order (most recent employment to the oldest employment)
• You should include dates to and from
• Include vessel type and size including whether the vessel is private/charter
• Vessel cruising programme
• Rank held and brief duties with each position. For Senior Ranks, include number of crew managed etc.
• Reasons for leaving: this is a small industry, ensure resasons are genuine.

Hobbies and Interests: Include any sports, activities, interests and other info that could be relevant to the industry.

References: Include at least two employment reference contacts. Ensure you check first with them if they are happy to be contacted by future employers.

For more information and tips, click here or register now to be the first to know about new vacancies.

If you're interested in starting a career in this industry, check out the courses we offer at The Maritime Skills Academy.